48 Star U.S. Flag - conversion from a 46 Star flag, 1912.
At first glance this wool, machine sewn, 33" x 58" 48 star United States flag appears to be an irregular "Staggered 48." This type of flag is called such because of its layout which consists of horizontal rows of stars alternatingly offset towards the hoist and fly of the flag. However, while the rows on this flag are indeed staggered, it is clear from both their positioning and spacing that the two stars on the hoist side of the second and fifth rows from the top were added to the design after its completion.
Due to the addition of these stars this flag instead fits into the category of Conversion Flag. The United States was a rapidly expanding country, with territories becoming states throughout the 19th century. From 1800 to 1912 the United States flag enjoyed 29 different star counts. To avoid both unneeded effort and cost it was common for Americans flag makers to convert flags with obsolete star counts into current flags by adding stars to the canton.
This flag is an example of a professionally made 46 star United States flag whose star count was current from 1908 to 1912. It is highly likely that the flag's original manufacturer had this flag in inventory in 1912 when the 48th state was added to the Union, and rather than take a loss, simply added two additional stars in order to return this flag to useful inventory.
Conversion Flags are symbolic of American ingenuity and thrift and represent a desirable attribute for collectors. These flag are also sometimes called Updated Flags or Modified Flags.
Provenance: Acquired at auction from Early American, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, 2005.
ZFC Significant Flag
Sources:
Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006.
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
